Russia's energy sector currently dominates the Russian economy, while the national banking system is considered to be underdeveloped in many areas. The recent blockchain conference in Taterstan now announces changes. At least this implies her title:"Blockchain: The new Oil of Russia". It remains to be seen whether the Blockchain will actually take the place of Russian oil. In any case, there has been an increasing number of reports about blockchains from the east.
Putin's Internet consultant founds Blockchain Association
Putin's most important contact in Internet affairs, Herman Klimenko, reportedly announced the founding of the "Russian Association for Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies". The association wants to initiate a dialogue with the legislator on the legalisation of cryptographic currencies and the possibilities of blockchain for the state and the economy. At the same time, a discussion platform for legislative initiatives and regulatory measures is to be created.
Structurally, according to a report by the Institute for Internet Development, the association is to be divided into four areas: firstly, cryptocurrencies and mining, secondly, ICOs and crowdfunding, thirdly, blockchain and fourthly, international cooperation.
Ethereum enters into partnership with Russian State Bank
Last weekend, Ethereum Russia and the state-owned Russian bank Vnesheconombank (VEB) signed a cooperation agreement. The agreement covers a long-term partnership. Within this framework, Ethereum Russia will support VEB with its expertise, in particular in the training of specialists and in the research and development of blockchain-based solutions.
Vitalik Buterin commented:"The partnership between the Ethereum and VEB offers a unique opportunity to explore and develop the benefits of blockchain for the state administration and to accelerate the adaptation of technology in governmental organizations of the Russian Federation.
Ethereum Russia is an independent legal entity founded by Vitalik Buterin together with Vladislav Martynov to keep the Ethereum Foundation "pure" and to protect it from conflicts of interest.
Moscow Stock Exchange: No plans to launch Bitcoin trading
On the other hand, there are allegedly a number of reports that have spread the word over the past few days that the Moscow Stock Exchange would include trading in bitcoins in its product range. As coindesk.com now reports, such plans have now been officially rejected.
Apparently, the media reports are based on the misunderstanding of an opinion by Deputy Finance Minister Alexey Moiseev. At the beginning of the week, the latter had argued in favour of restricting trading in cryptocurrencies to "qualified investors" and regulated markets for consumer protection reasons, citing the Moscow Stock Exchange as an example.
